Super Eagles star, Leon Balogun, would most likely be rested by coach Chris Hughton for their Carabao Cup clash against visitors Southampton tonight (Tuesday) at the American Express Community Stadium.
The former Mainz of Germany star made his first full start for the newly promoted side last weekend against Liverpool, featuring in all the ninety minutes encounter, thus gradually playing himself into the starting eleven.
This was after making a substitute appearance in their first EPL match, coming in as a substitute in their 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
And as the team take on the Saints this evening, Hughton is looking to rest most of the regular stars for next weekend’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.
“I shall use the squad and it gives those that haven’t played an opportunity to get competition levels under their belts,” Hughton told the club’s official website.
“Bruno, [Florin] Andone, [Jose] Izquierdo and Dunky [Lewis Dunk] are all unavailable, so we’re a bit lighter than what we would like to be.
“We have a couple of under-23 players that were involved last year that are not available either, so we’ve got a few decisions to make.”
The Seagulls boss also expects young centre-back Ben White to also miss out through injury, but revealed that under-23 frontmen Aaron Connolly and Viktor Gyokeres will both come into contention.
“He [White] came off in the under-23 game against Arsenal. We were initially worried, but the good news is he’s fine. I don’t think he’ll make Tuesday though.
“Viktor [Gyokeres] and Aaron Connolly will certainly be in the squad and come into the reckoning.
“Whether one of them will start, at this moment, I’m not sure. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do in terms of who’s available and not take any chances.”
Brighton and Southampton have only met in the League Cup once before – the Saints won 3-0 at the Withdean Stadium in September 2001.
As is commonplace in the competition, the hosts are set to make wholesale changes and Swedish U-19 international Viktor Gyokeres – who can play up front or out wide – has impressed in the under-23s’ unbeaten start to the season and is tipped to at least make the matchday squad.
Lewis Dunk missed the narrow defeat to Liverpool, while Bruno, Jose Izquierdo and Florin Andone also remain sidelined for the Seagulls.